Full Unit History
42nd ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Organized: Summer, 1861 Chicago, IL
Mustered In: 7/22/1861 Chicago, IL
Mustered Out: 12/16/1865 Indianola, TX
Regimental History
REGIMENTAL HISTORY:
The 42nd Illinois was a three year infantry regiment. It served in the western theater of operations during the American Civil War (ACW).
In 9/1861 the 42nd travelled to St. Louis, MO. From there, in 3/1862, it moved to Island No. 10 at the New Madrid/Kentucky bend in the Mississippi River. On 4/10 men from the unit’s Co. “H” were aboard the ironclad gunboat Carondelet when it steamed past the island’s blockade. The island then fell into Union hands. The siege of Corinth, MS (4/29 – 6/10) followed and 1862 ended / 1863 began with the battle of Stone’s River, TN. In that clash the 42nd lost twenty two (22) killed, one hundred sixteen (116) wounded and eighty five (85) taken prisoner.
Later, in1863 the regiment, again, clashed with the enemy at Farmington, TN (10/7). There, it suffered two (2) killed, twelve (12) wounded and three (3) missing. At Chickamauga, GA (9/18 – 20) the regiment lost another twenty eight (28) killed, one hundred twenty eight (128) wounded and twenty eight (28) taken prisoner. Retreating to Chattanooga, TN the 42nd ended 1863 losing twenty two (22) killed, one hundred sixteen (116) and eighty five (85) taken prisoner at Missionary Ridge (11/25).
1864 dawned with men of the 42nd re-enlisting. The veterans then returned to Chicago for thirty (30) day furloughs.
Returning to the field the veteranized 42nd joined the forces of Union Gen. W.T. Sherman as they marched upon Atlanta, GA. During that campaign the unit fought at Rocky Face Ridge (5/7 - 13 ), Resaca (5/13 - 15 ), Adairsville (5/17), New Hope Church (5/25 – 26), Pine Mountain (6/14 - 15), Kennesaw Mountain ( 6/27), Peachtree Creek (7/20), around Atlanta, itself (7/22), Jonesborough ( 8/31 – 9/1) and Lovejoy’s Station (8/20). Total losses during the campaign were twenty (20) killed, eighty nine (89) wounded and seven (7) taken prisoner. Marching back into Tennessee the 42nd concluded the year with actions at Spring Hill (11/29), Franklin (11/30).and Nashville (12/15 – 16).
During the spring of 1865 the 42nd was transferred to Texas in the Trans-Mississippi Department. It remained on duty there until mid-12/1865.
REGIMENTAL LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded; 13; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 65; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 168; Enlisted Men Died of Disease, Accidents, Etc. 201.
Soldier History
SOLDIER:
Residence: North Buffalo Berrien County, MI Age: Ca. 22/23 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 8/4/1861 Chicago, IL Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 8/4/1861Camp Douglas, Chicago, IL
Discharged For Disability: 8/9/1862
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
Reuben Birdsell was born circa 1838. The place of his birth was Hamilton, IN.
There is no available documental information pertaining to Reuben’s parents. Further, all that is known about possible siblings is that he, likely, had at least one brother, Marion. **
On 8/4/1861 Reuben enlisted in the U.S. Army. At that point in time we catch a glimpse of Private Birdsell the physical being: He was 5’ 8 3/4 “ tall and had grey eyes. At age 22 years, he was married. *** His occupation was noted as “farmer.”
On 5/26/1890, while residing in the State of Washington, Reuben applied for a U.S. Government disability pension based on his days of Civil War. The pension request was granted, but without accessing his pension files the details of his monthly stipend remain unknown.
Reuben’s wife died during 1901 in Whatcom County, WA. She was/is buried in Bellingham’s Bayview Cemetery.
1920. The U.S. Census for Marietta Whatcom County, WA noted Reuben as 80 years of age.
Reuben Birdsell died 12/24/1923. He was/is buried with his wife in the Bayview Cemetery.
Pioneer Dies at 85 (Newspaper Article In Part):
Reuben Birdsell, thirty-six years a Whatcom County resident, died today at the age of 85 years at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Phil Clark of Marietta. He was a member of the G.A.R.in Illinois, and of the Methodist church. Surviving relatives are two sons, three daughters and fourteen grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Arthur C. Harlow’s mortuary home Thursday afternoon.
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* Surname appears as Birdsall in American Civil War Research Database.
** Enlisting on the same date and in the same regiment/company as Reuben was Marion Birdsell/Birdsall. It is surmised that Marion and Reuben were brothers. Private Marion Birdsell/Birdsall died 7/15/1862 in Big Springs, MS.
*** Existing documentation provides no information pertaining to Reuben’s wife other than the year of her death.
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NOTE: The preceding courtesy of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. See our Links page for details on how to obtain the download Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (with June 2014 update) from which much of the above information was adapted.
Posted: 5/23/2024
Updated:
Cemetery
Buried at Bay View Cemetery in Bellingham
Row: SECTION C, Lot 154
Site: Grave 1-A